There are two key points that VDH makes two of which are contributing factors in the current conflict and is the focus of my main criticism outside of Russia's military action which is a separate issue and that is of our own government's foreign policy propensity to meddle in other countries internal affairs which ultimately exacerbates the conflict resulting in dragging us deeper into it.
Point #1 that VDH makes is in regards to Putin's concerns about the US/EU's direct influence over Ukraine's domestic affairs and politics.
"Ukraine and the United States previously should have stayed out of each other’s domestic affairs and politics"
#2 is in regards to possible NATO expansion which Ukraine made it as one of their stated goals right in it's constitution and that is to join NATO. Also the US/EU's up arming of Ukraine both of which triggered Putin's security concerns over potential expansion right up to their border. One of Putin's goals is to stop the encroachment and for Ukraine to become a neutral buffer State free from US/EU/NATO influence.
"Russia for centuries relied on buffer states between Europe — lost when its Warsaw Pact satellite members joined NATO after its defeat in the Cold War"
Putin saw both of these as a growing threat to Russia in his mind. That coupled with the conflict in the Donbas region of Ukraine all of which were contributing factors that prompted him to take action.
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